Things to do in Grainau

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, near the Austrian border and not far from the small town of Füssen. Built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to composer Wagner and inspired by the legend of the "Swan Knight" Lohengrin, construction began in 1869. Its fairy-tale appearance—white walls, blue domes, and scattered spires—served as the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is perennially regarded as Germany's tourism icon. The castle interior was originally planned to have over 200 rooms, but by the time of the king's death in 1886, only a dozen had been completed, each exquisitely crafted. The throne hall's dome is painted with a star-studded blue night sky, while the floor features mosaic patterns of flora and fauna, with a chandelier modeled after a Byzantine crown hanging high above. The Gothic double bed in the king's bedroom took over four years to carve by more than a dozen sculptors. The relatively large singers' hall in the castle, adorned with murals of "Lohengrin" and "Parsifal," was modeled after the Wartburg singers' hall and still hosts concerts every September. Swan motifs are nearly omnipresent, appearing in murals, door handles, and washstands. Interestingly, this medieval-inspired castle was already equipped with telephones, central heating, hot water, and automatic flushing toilets at the time, making it remarkably advanced for its era. To capture the classic postcard-perfect shot, head to Marienbrücke. This pedestrian bridge, suspended over the Pöllat Gorge, faces the southern facade of the castle and is not far from the bus drop-off point. It gets crowded in the afternoon, so an early visit is recommended. You can take the shuttle bus, a horse-drawn carriage, or hike up the mountain. The hiking route offers a bird's-eye view of the castle, and along the way, you can also see the yellow Hohenschwangau Castle, the old royal palace on the opposite hill. The castle's ending carries a touch of tragedy: Ludwig II built it with his private funds and loans, facing strong opposition from his ministers. On a late night in June 1886, he was arrested in his castle bedroom and mysteriously died days later by Lake Starnberg. Seven weeks later, the castle opened to the public. Today, visiting the interior requires following a guide, and photography is prohibited inside. Live guides provide commentary in English or German, while an audio guide is available for Chinese. Visitor guide To the castle There are three ways to reach the castle: taking the shuttle bus, riding a carriage, or going on foot. Most people choose to take the shuttle bus, then walk a short distance to Neuschwanstein Castle, where there is a viewing platform to overlook another castle—Hohenschwangau. You can also reach the castle by carriage, where you can enjoy picturesque scenery along the way, and the witty carriage driver will share legendary stories that happened here. After disembarking, it's just a short walk to the castle entrance. If you don't want to wait in line for the shuttle bus or prefer outdoor activities, you can also hike to Neuschwanstein Castle. Along the way, you can capture an aerial view of the castle, and there are relatively fewer travelers. Take a postcard-perfect photo of the castle Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) is located near the terminal stop of the uphill bus. This 100 m-high bridge spans between two cliffs, with its floor made of wooden planks that slightly bounce when stepped on. Here, you can capture the famous postcard-perfect shot of Neuschwanstein Castle. If you arrive early before your scheduled visit time, you can first head to Marienbrücke to photograph the beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle, as the bridge gets overcrowded after noon. Guided tour To visit the castle interior, you must follow the official guide. The guide provides services in English and German. You can also choose to use an audio guide (available in Chinese). After the visit, you can take a short break at the café inside the castle.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Oberammergau

Zugspitze

Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany with an altitude of 2963 meters. It is located on the border of Germany and Austria and belongs to the Alps. There are continuous mountain peaks, as well as clouds and snow lines, and it is also a famous skiing place. To visit Zugspitze, you can take a cogwheel train and a cable car. It will stop at several major stops such as the Eibsee Lake at about 1,000 meters. Tourists can hop off and hop on to watch the scenery. Climbing to the top of 2963 meters can overlook the scenery of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. There are exhibitions, observation decks, souvenir shops and restaurants on the top of the mountain. In summer you can also go hiking around the Zugspitze.

No. 8 of Family-friendly Attractions in Germany

Linderhof Palace

The "Linderhof Palace", known as one of the "Fairytale Kings" in the rich Bavarian land, is located in the secluded Grass Valley. Although Linderhof Palace was built later than Neuschwanstein Castle, it is the only palace building completed while the king was alive. Linderhof Palace strongly pursues the grotesque and complex Rococo style, mixed with oriental colors. The dining room has a beautiful oval shape, and the interior is shiny red. The peculiarity is that in the middle of the dining room there is a liftable "automatic serving magic table", which means that the king who is afraid of seeing people can be left alone. Eat alone.

Seilbahn Zugspitze

Seilbahn Zugspitze is located in Grainau, Bavaria, Germany, and is the main departure point for Eibsee Lake and the surrounding mountains. The cable car line here connects Eibsee Lake and Eibsee Mountain, providing a starting point for visitors to explore the beautiful scenery of the Alps. The cable car station features a simple and modern design, located at the foot of the lake area, where visitors can enjoy a tranquil natural atmosphere. The cable car ride upward takes visitors through lush, tree-lined forests, gradually rising to overlook the clear waters of Eibsee Lake and the surrounding mountains. The scenery of the lake and mountains complements each other, especially in the early morning or at dusk, when the lake surface is like a mirror, reflecting the sky and the surrounding peaks, resembling a tranquil landscape painting. Visitors can take the cable car to the summit to experience activities such as skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Partnach Gorge

Partnach Gorge is a gorge 702m long and 80m deep, located near Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany, and was carved into the rock by the Partnach River. The water in the gorge is a beautiful color. After walking through the gorge, you can continue hiking. Follow the signs to choose between two small mountains, a 30-minute or 1.5-hour hike away. Both offer great scenery and places to enjoy a beer.

Eibsee Lake

Lake Aipo is a small lake in front of the Zugspitze. The small train to Zugspitze will stop here and it is the terminal station of the cable car. The view of the lake from the cable car is also unique.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Oberammergau

Oberammergau Museum

The Oberammergau Museum is located in the small town of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany. It attracts many tourists with its rich cultural heritage and unique historical background. This museum not only displays local traditional crafts and arts, but also tells the story of the town's long history and religious traditions. A highlight of the museum is its collection of wood carving art. Oberammergau is famous for its exquisite wood carving skills, and the museum displays various wood carvings from the Middle Ages to the modern times. These works not only demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship, but also reflect religious and social themes from different historical periods. Visitors can admire exquisite religious statues, traditional masks, and other decorative carvings, and appreciate the artistic achievements of local artisans. In addition to religious and woodcarving art, the museum also has a rich collection of folk objects that illustrate the traditional lifestyle in and around Oberammergau. Exhibits include traditional costumes, household items and agricultural tools, providing visitors with a window into local history and culture. The museum building itself is also of historical significance, with parts of it dating back to the 18th century. It has been carefully restored to become an important place to showcase the local cultural heritage. The design of the museum focuses on coordination with the surrounding environment, retaining elements of traditional Bavarian architectural style, making it part of the town's landscape.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Biberwier

Marienbergbahnen Biberwier

Located in the Langres region of Tyrol, Austria, Marienbergbahnen Biberwier is a year-round hub for outdoor activities in the Alps. A cable car system whisks visitors to the summit observation deck, which offers 360-degree views of the glaciers and forests of the Lechtal Mountains. The summer steel frame ski run is a popular choice for families, with self-paced speeds through the pine forests, complete with safety signs and chicanes. Several well-marked hiking trails radiate from the summit, including a circular trail that takes in alpine meadows and geological wonders. In winter, the ski resort system offers beginner to intermediate runs, multiple tows and a magic carpet area. Non-skiers can try snowshoeing or explore the valley on a horse-drawn sleigh. The summit restaurant serves a variety of cuisine, while the service station offers gear storage for your convenience.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Allgau

Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle, a gem of the German Romantic period, ushered in its greatness just after its completion in the 12th century, and became a central theme in court lyric poetry at the time. The owners and builders of the castle were the knights of Schwangau. Silpot of Schwangau was one of the many knights who left his name, and a court lyric poet in the "Heidelberg Songbook" (also known as the "Codex Manasseh"). The knights of Schwangau were originally the fiefs of Wiffin and Staufen, and often came here as guests. The latter Staufen, Prince Conradin, who was beheaded at Napoli at the age of 16 (1268), used to live here.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Ehrwald

Ehrwalder Wettersteinbahnen